If you’re up for something off the beaten path, the Birqash Camel Market is worth a visit. It’s one of the biggest camel markets near Cairo, where you can see locals trading animals in a way you won’t find in the usual tourist spots. It’s about a 30-minute drive out of the city, so going with a local guide is a good idea — they know the place and can help you navigate the chaos. Just a heads-up: it’s a pretty raw scene with animals being bought and sold, so if you’re sensitive about that, it might not be your cup of tea.

Once sleepy fishing villages, the fabulous beaches of fine white sand of Agia Napa and Protaras, and the coastal area of Paralimni with its hundreds of windmills, nowadays buzz with life. This area is known collectively as the Kokkinochoria, “red soil villages,” because of the rich red earth in which Cyprus’ famous potatoes are grown. Culture lovers can explore the medieval churches found in villages like Sotira or go around the folk art museums displaying rural artefacts in Deryneia and Avgorou. Children will love the Marine Life museum or the new Sea Museum, “Thalassa”, in Agia Napa, which has an amazing replica of a 4th-century trading ship which sank off the coast of Kyrenia. Or you could stop at the tiny estuary known by the locals as Potamos and watch the fishing boats haul in their catch in their multi-coloured baskets. Spend the day sunbathing at the beach, swimming in warm turquoise waters or taking a short cruise along the coast. Some of the best snorkelling and diving spots are at Cape Greco, the national forest park, with its secluded coves and rocky outcrops, impressive cliff-top views and sea caves. In the evening, dine at one of the many restaurants, especially the local ones in Paralimni, or jive to the latest sounds at one of the numerous nightclubs.

Tucked into the Akamas Peninsula’s rugged coastline, the Baths of Aphrodite — a mossy grotto where water trickles into a shallow pool — feels more like a quiet woodland chapel than a grand spa. According to legend, this was where the goddess bathed and first locked eyes with Adonis. The site’s magic lies in its simplicity: a single ancient fig tree drapes shade over the spring, its roots tangled in the rocks like something from a Pre-Raphaelite painting. More than just a photo stop, the baths anchor the Aphrodite Natural Trail, a network of walking routes through the peninsula’s botanical gardens and coastal cliffs. The easiest (200 metres) path winds past oleanders and carob trees to a babbling stream, while longer hikes like the 5-kilometre Adonis Trail reveal sea views and hidden coves. Practicalities are well managed: a car park, clean toilets, and a no-frills café sit near the entrance, while the Archaeological Museum of Marion-Arsinoe (15 minutes’ drive) adds context for mythology buffs. Come early to beat the coach tours; dawn light through the fig leaves makes the grotto glow.

Take a break from sightseeing and head over to Aire de Sevilla and enjoy the Hammam experience in some of the nicest Baños Arabes (Arab baths) in all of Spain. You can unwind with temperature baths or have a massage in a magical atmosphere.